COURT REPORT: Jamie Murray gives Brits something to celebrate on packed day and we saw one of the most Wimbledon moments ever… but what shocking change is the All England Club considering?
There were plenty of thrills for Wimbledon viewers on the final day of the first week, with some matches carrying over into the next and finely poised for drama.
Novak Djokovic’s clash against Hubert Hurkacz was suspended due to the 11pm curfew after he won the first two sets 7-6, 7-6 after tiebreaks.
Jamie Murray gave the Brits something to cheer about, winning his men’s doubles match with Michael Venus and his mixed doubles match with Taylor Townsend.
Sixteen-year-old Mirra Andreeva stunned world No 22 Anastasia Potapova with a straight-sets victory, Iga Swiatek came back from the brink to defeat Belinda Bencic, and Andrey Rublev got the better of Alexander Bublic, who nearly mounted his own spectacular comeback, over five sets.
We also saw perhaps the most Wimbledon moment ever as one umpire reminded the crowd about champagne-popping etiquette.
Here is Mail Sport’s Court Report from Wimbledon by Kieran Gill.
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Andrey Rublev booked a place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic win over Alexander Bublik
Mirra Andreeva, 16, stunned world No 22 Anastasia Potapova, winning in two sets on Court 3
Rublev stuns Centre Court
Shot of the day — and surely the tournament — went to Andrey Rublev. Serving for the match in the fifth set at 5-4, 30-15, it seemed he had lost the point when Alexander Bublik sent a screaming backhand into the corner.
Everyone on Centre Court, including Bublik, thought it was a winner. But Rublev threw himself to his right and sent the ball back over the net. Bublik stood motionless before putting his head in his hands.
Keep the champagne on ice!
‘Ladies and gentlemen, please, if you are opening a bottle of champagne, don’t do it as the players are about to serve,’ said umpire John Blom during the clash between Mirra Andreeva and Anastasia Potapova on Court No 3.
At £79.50 for a bottle of Lanson Le Black Label Brut, Wimbledon is not a cheap day out.
Novak Djokovic must wait to resume his match against Hubert Hurkacz due to the 11pm curfew
Jamie Murray and Taylor Townsend won in the mixed doubles on a busy day for Andy’s brother
Jamie on double duty
A busy day for Jamie Murray. He won his men’s doubles match with Michael Venus (6-7, 7-6, 6-3 v Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler) and then a mixed doubles match with Taylor Townsend (7-6, 7-6 vs Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Jan Zielinski) — both on Court 12 with an 81-minute match in between.
Beaten Zverev in no mood to chat
It is customary for the moderator to ask the opening question when the player walks in for their press conference. Alexander Zverev was in no mood to chat after losing to Matteo Berrettini on Saturday.
The moderator asked: ‘Your initial thoughts after the match?’ To which Zverev said: ‘I don’t really have any.’ And that, believe it or not, was the highlight of his presser.
BBC need a Roy Keane
Sometimes the BBC’s coverage of the Brits at Wimbledon can be nauseating to watch.
Sunday’s programme started with a wholly positive chat about Katie Boulter, despite her 6-1, 6-1 loss to Elena Rybakina which confirmed there are no home players in the second week of this tournament.
As one fellow hack noted, the Beeb could do with a ‘Roy Keane-style’ pundit to spice it up.
SW19 line judges in line of fire
Make the most of those nattily attired line judges at Wimbledon while you can. The All England Club are considering following the ATP’s lead to go with the electronic calling system from 2025.
John McEnroe has given it the thumbs-up, though it would risk spelling the end for any explosive outbursts, such as the ones he made iconic.
The All England Club are considering moving to electronic line judges from 2025
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